September 6 is National Read a Book Day

You can make the argument that every day is “Read a Book Day,” because, as writers, we need to be constantly reading both inside and outside of our chosen genre(s). But today, you can really let your freak flag fly and read books in public without shame: it’s “National Read a Book Day.”

While this may sound like a made-up holiday—one of 1,500 national holidays we might choose to celebrate in any given calendar year—it’s still one worth recognizing.

So, if you need an excuse to ignore that pile of laundry, that inbox overflowing with e-mails, or your knee-high lawn, grab a book and read for as many hours as you’d like. It’s your day. Read silently to yourself; read to a child or loved one; read to your houseplants.

And if you’re so inclined, let the world know how you’re partying with book in hand by using the hashtag #NationalReadaBookDay.